The Apparel Impact Institute (AII), a specialized organization focused on the textile industry and sustainable development, has announced the launch of a new program in Italy. This initiative has garnered the support and participation of renowned fashion brands such as Stella McCartney, Burberry, Global Luxury Group, and Kering. The goal of this program is to create a platform that connects brands, manufacturers, philanthropic organizations, and non-profit organizations in order to enhance the environmental sustainability of the supply chain in the textile industry.
Through this platform, industry professionals will gain insight into the challenges facing the textile industry while also unlocking potential opportunities through collective actions. The participating fashion brands will have the opportunity to assist their suppliers and local producers in improving their ecological impact through a structured support process. After successfully launching the initiative for a few select industries at the end of 2020, AII now aims to recruit 10 to 15 manufacturers in the fashion sector.
The underlying objective of this initiative is to create a long-lasting impact by ensuring that the sustainable practices of fashion brands extend to their suppliers. Géraldine Vallejo, the Director of Sustainable Development at Kering, emphasizes the importance of this approach, stating, “We realized that over 90% of our impact was outside of our own operations. Since then, and in line with our goal of achieving a 40% reduction in EP&L [Environmental Profit & Loss] across our supply chain by 2025, we have been consistently engaging with our suppliers regarding environmental performance.”
The CleanByDesign project, initially developed by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), serves as a blueprint for this new program. The project has demonstrated promising results, with 33 factories that completed the program in October 2019 achieving a 18.6% reduction in water usage and a 9.5% decrease in GHG emissions. These positive outcomes highlight the potential of implementing similar programs and initiatives to drive sustainability in the fashion industry.
In summary, the launch of this new program by AII in collaboration with major fashion brands and organizations signifies a genuine commitment to improving the environmental impact of the textile industry in Italy. By bringing together key stakeholders and providing support and guidance, the platform aims to promote sustainable practices, increase awareness, and foster collective action for a more sustainable future in fashion.
Useful links:
1. [Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) CleanByDesign Project](https://www.nrdc.org/issues/sustainable-fashion/clean-design)
2. [Apparel Impact Institute (AII) Official Website](https://apparelimpactinstitute.org/)
